Aerodynamically Enhanced Golf Club Head

ABSTRACT

This present invention is a golf club head that has a concave shaped crown directly downwardly from behind the striking face toward the read edge of the club head. The rearwardly directed side portions of the club head include rudder elements extending along both sides at the same height as the club face, much like the rudder of an airplane. The rudders are connected across the respective top rear portions of the side elements of the club head, with an optional aero stabilizer that is roughly one quarter of the front to rear dimension of the club head. One or more removable fins can be inserted into the channel shaped slots between the side rudders to act as additional rudders for additional influence to the club head. The rear of the club head is open between the rudders and below the optional stabilizer for directing the flow of air.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of earlier priority based upon thefiling of a provisional application Ser. No. 61/080,407, which was filedon Jul. 14, 2008.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to an aerodynamically enhanced golf clubhead. More specifically, the invention relates to a golf club headincluding rearwardly directed rudders that, in conjunction with theconcave crown, actively direct the trajectory of a golf club head duringa high speed swing.

2) Background

The United States Golf Association (USGA) sets up guidelines limitingthe size and shape of a club head that can be used in their sanctionedtournaments. Most golf companies design within these guidelines with themain goals of beauty and distance. There is no club that helps directthe swing.

The USGA regulates that the front-to-rear dimension may not exceed 5″and the width of the clubface is also limited to 5″. It also states thatthe height may not be more than 2.8 inches. Additionally, the club headmust not exceed 460 cubic centimeters. Staying within these dimensionsdoes not guarantee USGA approval but exceeding them causes automaticrejection.

Currently there are a number of golf club heads that fit within thedesign parameters set forth by the USGA. Some of these golf club headsattempt to locate the center of gravity at different places to influencethe ball flight, but these solutions fail to meet the needs of theindustry because regardless of the location of the center of gravity ifthe club head is not exactly square to the swing path the best resultscannot be achieved. Other golf club heads attempt to use perimeterweighting to get better results on off center hits but these solutionsare similarly unable to meet the needs of the industry because eventhough perimeter weighting may help with off center hits even moreimprovement can be achieved by also improving the probability of hittingthe ball square to the path of the swing. Still other golf club headsseek to vary the thickness around the surface of the club face toincrease the rebound of the ball at impact, but these solutions alsofail to meet industry needs because even though the rebound of the ballcan be improved it can be further improved by helping to assure that theclub head impacts the ball squarely at impact.

It would be desirable to have a golf club head that meets the designparameters of the USGA and that more easily allows golfers of allexperience levels to hit a golf ball in a straight line. It would alsobe desirable to have a training aid it will help the golfer feel how theclub should feel at impact with the ball and the golfer will be able totry to replicate that same feel and hand position throughout all theclubs in the bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention advantageously fills the aforementioneddeficiencies by providing an aerodynamically enhanced golf club headthat meets the design parameters of the USGA and that more easily allowsgolfers of all experience levels to hit a golf ball in a straight line.The present invention also provides a training aid it will help thegolfer feel how the club should feel at impact with the ball and thegolfer will be able to try to replicate that same feel and hand positionthroughout all the clubs in the bag.

The present invention has a striking face similar to many of the clubson the current market, but the present invention departs from thecurrent industry standard design by providing a crown of the club thatdips down sharply and connects to the back edge of the sole plate whichis at the bottom of the clubface. The final shape of this crown isaerodynamically designed and wind tunnel tested to cause the leastturbulence and most efficiency. The sides of the clubface are ruddersthat extend to the rear of the clubface at the same height as the face.There is an optional stabilizer that is a horizontal member similar tothe elevator of an airplane and connecting the two rudders. Thisoptional stabilizer is approximately ¼ to ⅓ the width of the front torear dimension of the club head.

To get the most leverage for the rudders and fins, the present inventiongolf club head is designed to the USGA maximum allowable width anddepth. It is also designed at the maximum height to get the greatestamount of surface area for the rudders and fins. The rudders, fins andstabilizer are kept thin so as not to use too much volume. The crown islowered as much as required to stay under the maximum volume. The crownwill be shaped to get the best aerodynamic response given the volumerestriction. The basic club has slots in the crown and underside of thestabilizer for the insertion of optional fins. These fins may be placedat the center and/or ⅓ points and/or ¼ points. This allows for thegolfer to use just one fin or two fins or three fins or even five finsto adjust the amount of influence needed. The fins can be fixed orremovable at the golfer's option. These fins add to the rudder surface,thereby increasing the influence of the air pressure.

There are weight ports at the rear four corners that are optional. Theycan be eliminated entirely or filled with insignificant weight. They canbe included at just the bottom or top and they can be packaged withinserts of different amounts of weight. The ports being at the extremefour corners of the rear of the club are in the location of maximumleverage making it possible to get the most amount of influence over theclub while adding the least amount of weight.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read inconjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and anypreferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed orotherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided byway of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough,complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 a is a top perspective view of the invention shown with a singleremovable center fin 22 for aerodynamics.

FIG. 2 b is a top perspective view of the invention shown with tworemovable center fins 22 for better aerodynamics.

FIG. 2 c is a top perspective view of the invention shown with threeremovable center fins 22 for even better aerodynamics.

FIG. 3 is a side view for a right hand player.

FIG. 4 is a front view for a right hand player.

FIG. 5 is a rear view for a right hand player.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative version of the clubshowing the optional stabilizer removed.

FIG. 8 is a partial section of the club shown in FIG. 7 showing the pinaligned mating of the stabilizer and the aero side rudders.

FIG. 9 is a view of the club face of FIG. 7 showing the optionalstabilizer using a single center fin.

FIG. 10 is a view of the club face of FIG. 7 showing the optionalstabilizer in combination with 2 vertical fins.

FIG. 11 is a view of the club face of FIG. 7 showing the optionalstabilizer with 3 vertical fins in place.

FIG. 12 is a section of the club shown in FIG. 7 along 8-8, with theoptional stabilizer fixed in position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an aerodynamically enhanced golfclub head.

Referring to the drawing figures: FIGS. 1 and 2 a show a perspectiveview and downwardly directed front view, respectively, of the inventionin its most basic form; including at least one optional center fin (22).The club head 10 looks similar to a traditional club head except withthe crown 28 of the club extending sharply downwardly in a recessedconcave fashion behind the club face 12. The club head 10 is attached inthe usual housel 16 and shaft 14 manner to enable swinging of the clubhead 10. The sides 24 of the club head 10 extend as aero rudders to theback of the club head 10 at the full height of the front. A rearwardlypositioned optional stabilizer (20) connects the two sides (rudders)(24). The center fin (22) divides the channel (29) formed by the rudders24 and fin 22 into two smaller channels (29).

FIG. 2 b shows the club head 10 of FIG. 2 a but with two fins (22)inserted dividing the channel into three equal channels (29). FIG. 2 cshows the club head 10 with three fins (22) inserted dividing thechannel into four equal channels (29).

The basic club 10 has slots in the crown 28 and underside of the aerostabilizer 20 for the insertion of optional fins 22. These fins 22 maybe placed at the center and/or at the ⅓ points and/or ¼ points of thechannel 29. This allows for the golfer to use just one fin or two finsor three fins or even five fins to adjust the amount of influence neededso as help direct the trajectory of the swinging club head. The fins 22can be fixed or removable at the golfer's option. These fins add to theoverall rudder surface, thereby increasing the effectiveness andinfluence of the air pressure created as the air passes through channel29 and along rudders 24, fins 22, and aero stabilizer 20.

Referring to the drawing FIGS. 7-12: FIG. 7 shows a perspective view ofthe invention in its most basic form; including zero optional centerfins (122). The club head 110 again looks similar to a traditional clubhead except with the crown of the club extending sharply downwardly in arecessed concave fashion behind the club face 112. The club head 110 isattached in the usual housel 116 and shaft 114 manner to enable swingingof the club head 110. The sides 124 of the club head 110 extend as aerorudders to the back of the club head 110 at the full height of thefront. A rearwardly positioned optional stabilizer (120) connects thetwo sides (rudders) (124). The replaceable fins (122) divide the channelformed by the rudders 124 into two smaller channels. FIG. 9 shows asingle centrally positioned fin 122, held in position by the optionalstabilizer 120. FIG. 10 shows a pair of fins 122 held in position by theoptional stabilizer 120. FIG. 11 shows a set of three fins 122 held inposition by the optional stabilizer 120.

The fins 120 and pinned optional stabilizer 120 are held with heatsensitive epoxy glue commonly used in golf club construction (typicallyto attach the shaft 114 to the housel 116). The fins 122 and stabilizer120 may used alone or in any combination to create the necessary aeroeffect to direct the club for the individual user. Each of thestabilizer 120 and club crown include fin matching slots to align andretain the respective fins. Additionally, the stabilizer 120 may bepinned to the side aero rudders 124 to maintain appropriate alignment.

The final shape of the club head 10, 110 and crown 28, isaerodynamically designed and wind tunnel tested so as to cause the leastturbulence and most efficiency during a high speed swing. Some golfswings easily exceed 100 mph. The sides 24 of the clubface perform asrudders as they extend to the rear of the clubface at approximately thesame height as the face 12. Air wraps around the back face of the clubhead and is directed by the rudders 24 into the channel(s) 29 formedinto the crown 28 of the club head 10. The air then encounters aerostabilizer 20 that is a horizontal member similar to the elevator of anairplane and connects between the two rudders. The stabilizer depth isapproximately ¼ to ⅓ the width of the overall front to rear dimension ofthe club head 10.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the club head 10 and shows the sidenearest a right handed golfer.

FIG. 4 shows a partial transparent front view showing the orientation ofthe stabilizer (20) and center fin (22) and dividing the channel (29)with respect to the volume of the club head.

FIG. 5 shows the rear view looking into the channels (29) and shows thelocation of the weight ports (18) at the extreme corners. The weightports 18 at the rear four corners that are optional. They can beeliminated entirely, filled with insignificant weight, or left hollow.Likewise, the ports 18 can be included at just the bottom or top andthey can be packaged with inserts of different amounts of weight. Theports being at the extreme four corners of the rear of the club are inthe location of maximum leverage making it possible to get the mostamount of influence over the club trajectory or pitch while adding theleast amount of overall weight to the club head 10.

FIG. 6 shows a cross section through the club head exposing the shape ofthe crown 28 or channel 29 bottom covering the upper face of the clubhead 10.

In general, in order to get the most leverage for the rudders and fins,the present invention golf club head is designed to the USGA maximumallowable width and depth. Clearly, smaller dimensions may be used forladies and junior golf equipment. It is also designed at the maximumheight to get the greatest amount of surface area for the rudders andfins. The rudders, fins and stabilizer are kept as thin so as not to usetoo much volume but to still provide for the requisite strength towithstand repeated high speed striking of the ball under all conditions.The crown is likewise downwardly swept as much as required to stay underthe maximum volume. The crown will be shaped to get the best aerodynamicresponse given the volume restriction imposed by USGA or othersanctioning body.

The objective of the aerodynamically enhanced golf club head is aninvention that assists the golfer in delivering the club head squarelyinto the back of the ball at impact. The faster the swing the moreinfluence the rudders, fins and stabilizer has over the direction of theclub head. The essence of this invention is to use the air pressuredeveloped by the club head traveling through the air to direct thealignment of the club head relative to the swing path. To wit: For thosewho want to hit the ball in a straight line and are capable of swingingin line with their target this club head will help accomplish theirgoal. Some golfers prefer to hit a draw (a ball that curves slightlyfrom right to left for a right handed golfer) or a fade (a ball thatcurves slightly left to right for a right handed golfer). The normalsetting of the club face is neutral or 90 degrees to the swing path butdrawing or fading the ball can be accomplished by offsetting or“pointing” the club face either left or right respectfully as related tothe swing path. This is commonly done by manufactures of traditionalgolf clubs but can accomplished more consistently with a club headincorporating the aero features of the instant invention that assiststhe golfer in squaring the club head at impact.

Additional fine tuning can be accomplished to assist golfers that have achronic problem such as hooking or slicing. For these golfers the clubhead of the present invention can be made with the rudders and finsslightly offset from square to help deliver the club head with aslightly open (pointing slightly right for a right handed golfer) or aclosed face (one that points slightly left for a right handed golfer).Additional fine tuning can be accomplished by using aerodynamicallydesigned airfoils on the rudders and fins. This will add to theinfluence of the rudders and fins.

Golf swings range in speed from around 60 miles per hour to over 120miles per hour. This creates a considerable force that can be used bythe present invention to influence the direction a club head “points”during a golf swing. The preferred golf swing uses a relaxed fairlyloose grip. In using the present invention to train, however, unless thegrip is held relatively tightly the average golfer will not be able tofeel the influence of the air pressure on the swing. The trainingobjective is to learn to “yield” to this aerodynamic pressure and letthe club head of the present invention direct the swing. After learningthe feel of the club guiding the swing, a user will learn to replicatethe hand position at impact throughout all of the clubs in the set.

While the present invention has been described above in terms ofspecific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to these disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and otherembodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in theart to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be andare covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It isindeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined byproper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relyingupon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.

1. A golf club head, comprising: a ball striking face including aforwardly directed front surface and respective side, top, and bottomedges, and a housel for connecting said club head to a shaft; sideelements extending from each of said respective side edges of said faceto a rear extent of said club head; a bottom surface extending from saidbottom edge of said front face to said rear extent of said club head,said bottom surface connecting between said side elements at lowerrespective edges thereof; a crown surface extending from said top ofsaid front face to said rear extent of the said club, said crown surfacebeing steeply and downwardly sloped toward said bottom surface andconnecting to said bottom surface at a rearward edge thereof so as toform a channel on an upper side of said golf club head bounded by saidrespective side elements and said crown; and, an aero stabilizerconnecting across said channel on said upper side of said golf club headat said rearward extent of said club head between respective upper edgesof said side elements.
 2. A golf club head as in claim 1, furthercomprising: at least one removable fin mounted within said channel, andengaged in complementary slots located in said aero stabilizer and onsaid crown, so as to divide said channel into multiple channels on saidupper side of said golf club head.
 3. A golf club head as in claim 1,further comprising: at least one cavity located in at least one of saidside elements for accepting weights to influence a trajectory of saidclub head during a golf swing.
 4. A golf club head as in claim 1,wherein: said aero stabilizer has a front to rear dimension that is ⅓ to¼ of the overall front to rear dimension of the golf club head.
 5. Agolf club head, comprising: a ball striking face including a forwardlydirected front surface and respective side, top, and bottom edges, and ahousel for connecting said club head to a shaft; side elements extendingfrom each of said respective side edges of said face to a rear extent ofsaid club head; a bottom surface extending from said bottom edge of saidfront face to said rear extent of said club head, said bottom surfaceconnecting between said side elements at lower respective edges thereof;a crown surface extending from said top of said front face to said rearextent of the said club, said crown surface being steeply and downwardlysloped toward said bottom surface and connecting to said bottom surfaceat a rearward edge thereof so as to form a channel on an upper side ofsaid golf club head bounded by said respective side elements and saidcrown.
 6. A golf club head as in claim 5, further comprising: at leastone removable fin mounted within said channel, and engaged incomplementary slots located on said crown, so as to divide said channelinto multiple channels on said upper side of said golf club head.
 7. Agolf club head as in claim 6, further comprising: an aero stabilizerelement mounted on said club and above said crown so as to extend sideto side between said respective side elements and containing on anunderside thereof complementary slots to further secure said at leastone removable fin.
 8. A golf club head as in claim 5, furthercomprising: at least one cavity located in at least one of said sideelements for accepting weights to influence a trajectory of said clubhead during a golf swing.